Google today announced an acquisition of iOS-based time management app Timeful, which first launched last year. When it was released, Timeful was described as "the first intelligent time manager" for mobile devices, aiming to help users manage their lives by combining a time management app with a calendar, a to-do list, and reminders designed to reinforce positive habits.

In its current incarnation on iOS, Timeful connects to the Calendar app to import existing events into a daily view that includes all tasks that need to be completed. It also lets users create to-dos, and when there's a block of open time on a user's schedule, Timeful will insert "Habits." Habits are user-defined tasks like "Take a Walk" or "Read for 30 Minutes," and are aimed at fitting recreation or skill-building tasks into each user's schedule.

timeful
Google plans to incorporate Timeful's clever time management tools into its existing products like Inbox and Calendar, making it easier for users to schedule events and find time for all tasks that need to be completed in any given day.

The Timeful team has built an impressive system that helps you organize your life by understanding your schedule, habits and needs. You can tell Timeful you want to exercise three times a week or that you need to call the bank by next Tuesday, and their system will make sure you get it done based on an understanding of both your schedule and your priorities. We're excited about all the ways Timeful's technology can be applied across products like Inbox, Calendar and beyond, so we can do more of the work for you and let you focus on being creative, having fun and spending time with the people you care about.

According to a blog post on the Timeful site, the Timeful app will continue to be available on iOS, but going forward, attention will be on "new projects at Google." Current Timeful users can export their data out of the app for use with other apps if desired.

Top Rated Comments

rhysmorgan Avatar
103 months ago
God damn it. Yet another well-loved application bought and killed by Google. Bastards.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SuperBrown Avatar
103 months ago
God damn it. Yet another well-loved application bought and killed by Google. Bastards.

This is literally, almost word for word, the exact same thought I had when I read the headline.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rhysmorgan Avatar
103 months ago
Doesn't matter who bought it, what matters is if it will work equally good on iOS and Android.
Just because Google bought it doesn't mean it is killed.
It already says in the article that Timeful is dead:

According to a blog post on the Timeful site, the Timeful app will continue to be available on iOS, but going forward, attention will be on "new projects at Google." Current Timeful users can export their data out of the app for use with other apps if desired.
Also, as stated in the email I've just received from Timeful:
What does this mean for you?

A couple things to note:
Timeful will remain in the App Store, and we'll continue to support it. We won't be adding new features, but we're more than happy to help you with bugs or answer any questions you have.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
splogue Avatar
103 months ago
I guarantee that absolutely nothing will come of this.

Those promises that Timeful's features will be integrated into Google's own apps? Lies.

The app will no longer be supported at all, and its features and value will be lost forever. The developer(s) may be given token jobs at Google based on their skill level, but nothing very meaningful.

This is what Google does. They buy out their competitors, and shut them down.

Normally I cringe at the very mention of anticompetitive practices, but what you've just said is absolutely true. They will trail on for a little while, then disappear, never to be seen again.

I'm not saying it is nefarious, but it is true.

----------

Sometimes? Rarely?

But more often than not, Google AND Apple buy these companies because they see value in them and their tech.

One example is when Google bought Waze and incorporated them into Google Maps. Google bought Zagat and incorporated reviews into Google Maps. Quickoffice acquisition really improved Google Docs (later Google Drive). There are many more examples. Google bought Nest (not exactly the same since they sell hardware, but my point is they felt it fit into a grander vision).

And what has Nest done since then? They disabled the wave to silence feature in their smoke alarms, and did not release any new models. Of anything.

They have released nothing since Google bought them. No new products. Heck, the geofencing feature has been broken for Dropcam ever since Nest bought them. They haven't fixed it. Why?

So, maybe they are working on a self-aware home control unit that runs on ambient light and and supports every known home control protocol, but so far we've seen nothing, and they've completely lost both the momentum and buzz necessary for new companies. Extremely disappointing.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DavidTheExpert Avatar
103 months ago
I guarantee that absolutely nothing will come of this.

Those promises that Timeful's features will be integrated into Google's own apps? Lies.

The app will no longer be supported at all, and its features and value will be lost forever. The developer(s) may be given token jobs at Google based on their skill level, but nothing very meaningful.

This is what Google does. They buy out their competitors, and shut them down.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rekhyt Avatar
103 months ago
Doesn't matter who bought it, what matters is if it will work equally good on iOS and Android.
Just because Google bought it doesn't mean it is killed.

S-s-s-s-sparrowwww~~~. :(
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 17 on Phone Feature

Gurman: iOS 17 to Provide Several 'Most Requested Features'

Sunday March 26, 2023 6:05 am PDT by
Apple changed the strategy for iOS 17 later in its development process to add several new features, suggesting that the update may be more significant than previously thought, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. In January, Gurman said that iOS 17 could be a less significant update than iPhone updates in previous years due to the company's intense focus on its long-awaited mixed-reality...
iOS 16

iOS 16.4 Will Add These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Sunday March 26, 2023 8:06 am PDT by
Following nearly six weeks of beta testing, iOS 16.4 is expected to be released to the public as soon as this week. The software update includes a handful of new features and changes for the iPhone 8 and newer. To install an iOS update, open the Settings app on the iPhone, tap General → Software Update, and follow the on-screen instructions. Below, we have recapped eight new features and...
apple mixed reality headset concept by david lewis and marcus kane

Some Apple Employees Seriously Concerned About Mixed-Reality Headset as Announcement Draws Closer

Sunday March 26, 2023 8:25 am PDT by
Some Apple employees are concerned about the usefulness and price point of the company's upcoming mixed-reality headset, The New York Times reports. Apple headset concept by David Lewis and Marcus Kane Initial enthusiasm around the device at the company has apparently become skepticism, according to eight current and former Apple employees speaking to The New York Times. The change of tone...
Steve Jobs Theater dusk

Apple Reportedly Demoed Mixed-Reality Headset to Executives in the Steve Jobs Theater Last Week

Sunday March 26, 2023 5:53 am PDT by
Apple showcased its mixed-reality headset to the company's top 100 executives in the Steve Jobs Theater last week, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that the "momentous gathering" is a "key milestone" ahead of the headset's public announcement planned for June. The event was intended to rally Apple's top members of...
top stories 25mar2023

Top Stories: iPhone 15 Pro Design Leak, iOS 16.4 Coming Soon, and More

Saturday March 25, 2023 6:00 am PDT by
We're still almost six months away from the official unveiling of the iPhone 15 lineup, but it seems like every day we're learning more about what to expect from the next-generation models. Notably, this week gave us our clearest look yet at what appear to be some changes for the volume and mute control hardware. iOS 16.4 and associated releases are also right around the corner with some new ...
iOS 16

Apple Releases iOS 16.4 With New Emoji, Safari Web Push Notifications, Beta Changes, Voice Isolation for Calls and More

Monday March 27, 2023 10:03 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 16.4, the fourth major update to the iOS 16 operating system that initially came out last September. iOS 16.4 comes two months after the launch of iOS 16.3, an update that added Security Keys for Apple ID. iOS 16‌.4 and iPadOS 16.4 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. It can take a few minutes...
Hero0009

Best Apple Deals of the Week: Samsung's Smart Monitor M8 Gets Massive $250 Discount, Along With Year's Best AirPods Prices

Friday March 24, 2023 10:23 am PDT by
We saw a lot of great deals on Apple products and related accessories this week, including Samsung's iMac-like Smart Monitor M8 for $250 off, a 30 percent off spring sale at Anker, and the year's best prices on numerous AirPods models. All of these deals are still available to purchase right now, so we're recapping them and more below. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these ...
dynamic island

iPhone 15 Dynamic Island to Include New Integrated Proximity Sensor

Friday March 24, 2023 12:27 am PDT by
This year, all iPhone 15 models will include Apple's Dynamic Island that unifies the pill and hole cutouts at the top of the display, but there will also be a material change to the feature that wasn't included in the iPhone 14 Pro models. According to a new tweet by Apple industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the proximity sensor on the iPhone 15 series will be integrated inside the Dynamic Island ...